TCA Facilitates Chukchansi Tribe Meetings in Washington

Chukchansi Chairwoman Claudia Gonzales and Tribal Council with TCA President and team

Chukchansi delegation with
Rep. Alex Mooney (R-WV/2nd)

Chukchansi delegation with
Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI/2nd)

Chukchansi delegation with
Turkish Ambassador Serdar Kilic

TCA helped to facilitate the first visit to Washington, DC of the newly elected Chukchansi Tribal Council and its Chairwoman Claudia Gonzales, February 1-3, 2016. The Chukchansi delegation travelled to the nation’s capital to pay courtesy calls to federal agencies and members of Congress and to discuss business opportunities between the Chukchansi Tribe and Turkish companies. The Chukchansi Tribe, located in central California near Fresno, is one of 567 tribes recognized by the U.S. Government.

TCA briefed the delegation on TCA’s programs including its Study Abroad Scholarships to Turkey for Native American students and other minority and heritage communities. TCA also arranged for an economic and commercial briefing on Turkey at the Turkish Embassy and a meeting with Ambassador Serdar Kilic, who personally gave the group a tour of the ambassador’s residence. In addition to discussing business opportunities between Turkey and Indian Country, Ambassador Kilic and the Chukchansi delegation spoke about collaboration on cultural programs.

On Capitol Hill, TCA facilitated an introduction to Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Paul Ryan (R-WI/1st) and Congressman Alex Mooney (R-WV/2nd), who recently introduced a bill promoting a Free Trade Agreement between the U.S. and Turkey. After talking with the Chukchansi delegation, Rep. Mooney offered to look into amending the bill to benefit tribal nations.